Guyanese in Richmond Hill are pleased that there is a setback to the plan to introduce casino gambling in their neighbourhood. The Governor, David Patterson, who is embroiled in several scandals including in the award of the casino contract, announced he is cancelling the deal. It was revealed that the Governor is close to the individuals connected to the group, Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG), given the contract, and that the investors are of questionable character. There are vociferous demands for his resignation.
When the plan was announced to close Aqueduct Race Track and start casino gambling over ten years ago, Guyanese galvanized themselves into action to oppose it. Attorney Albert Baldeo and community activists Mike Persaud, Chuck Mohan, Vishnu Bisram, Vishnu Mahadeo, and others organized rallies, petition drives, and town hall meetings opposing the replacement of horse racing with a casino. We spent countless hours strategizing how to defeat the plan and were stabbed in the back in the end. Other ethnic communities, in fact the whole of the greater Richmond Hill area, and the political representatives in the state legislature also opposed casino gambling in the community. But the Governor let us down.
For many years, politicians in Albany did not touch the hot button issue. Governor Pataki acquiesced to popular opinion and never signed off on the plan that was pushed by those who saw an opportunity to make millions. Governor Elliott Spitzer, who replaced Pataki three years ago, also heeded the views of the Richmond Hill community and never signed off on the plan. Patterson, who replaced Spitzer almost two years ago, signed off on it a few months ago. He had given assurances to the contrary to Richmond Hill community leaders who donated to his election fund. Russell Simmons, a popular African-American businessman and music rapper, publicly condemned the Governor and AEG saying the arrangement smacked of an inside deal. Commentators said AEG was not qualified for the contract and called for its cancellation. The Governor began facing rebellion within his Democratic Party over the contract. The powerful Speaker of the Assembly said he would not give his approval and urged that the contract be reopened for bidding. On Wednesday, Jay Z, the popular billionaire rapper, withdrew as one of the investors of AEG because of scandals relating to the group. AEG officers announced on Thursday that the group will not be able to raise the money it needed to get the licence. To avoid further embarrassment, the Governor announced he has scrapped the deal. Guyanese hope he will scrap the casino plan altogether.
There will be the serious negative implications that come with casinos for the community, which Guyanese want to avoid. Schools are also in the area and it could impact on education.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
